Head-to-head comparison
Acast vs PRX
Two of the hosting tools podcasters reach for. Here's how they differ on pricing, features, audience, and the trade-offs that actually matter day-to-day.
Podcast host built around monetization, with a real ad marketplace behind it.
Best for: Monetization-focused podcasters
Public radio's distribution and hosting cooperative
Best for: Public radio stations and documentary podcasters distributing to broadcast and on-demand.
At a glance
The honest trade-offs
Acast
Pros
- Real ad marketplace with creator payouts
- Free Starter plan to begin
- Multiple shows on higher tiers
Watch-outs
- 50% ad revenue share is steep
- Free tier capped at 5 episodes without ads
- Less control over brand placements
PRX
Pros
- Mission-aligned nonprofit operator
- Dovetail handles hosting, DAI and analytics
- Home to Radiotopia and major narrative shows
Watch-outs
- Less self-serve than commercial hosts
- Wrong fit for chat or business shows
- Pricing depends on org type and arrangement
Which one should you pick?
Pick Acast if
You’re building around monetization-focused podcasters. Acast's strength is the ad marketplace — they actually have advertisers and they actually pay out. The free Starter is a nice on-ramp, the revenue share is steep (around 50%), and the platform is more hands-on about brand fit than some creators want.
Pick PRX if
You’re building around public radio stations and documentary podcasters distributing to broadcast and on-demand.. PRX is a nonprofit that distributes US public radio and hosts a lot of the editorial-leaning podcast world via its Dovetail platform. Radiotopia lives here.
Also worth comparing
Or see all Acast alternatives.
Frequently asked
What does Acast do better than PRX?
Acast's standout is "Real ad marketplace with creator payouts". PRX doesn't make that promise — it leans into "Mission-aligned nonprofit operator" instead. If the first sentence describes your workflow, pick Acast; if the second does, pick PRX.
What are the trade-offs?
Acast: 50% ad revenue share is steep. PRX: less self-serve than commercial hosts. Whether either matters depends entirely on what you actually need — neither is a deal-breaker by itself.
Do they support the same platforms?
Acast works on iOS where PRX doesn't. If you're on a specific OS or device, that may decide for you.
Can I use Acast and PRX together?
Both are hosting tools so most teams pick one. Some workflows do combine them — for example, using Acast for one show or episode type and PRX for another. Worth trying both free tiers before committing.